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Category: Appointed Times

Removing the Leaven

Tags:  chametz, leaven, matzah, Passover, se'or, unleavened bread

By Aaron Eby

There are two words in Hebrew that we interpret as "leaven." Se'or refers to a leavening agent itself, that is, yeast. Chametz is the term used for food and drink items that contain leaven. The type of unleavened bread that the Scriptures refer to is called matzah.

  • SE'OR: a leavening agent
  • CHAMETZ: a leavened food item
  • MATZAH: an unleavened typeof bread

Let's consider some of the passages in Scripture that use these terms:

For seven days no leaven (se'or) shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened (chametz), that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened (chametz); in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread (matzah). (Exodus 12:19-20)

In context, the above commandment is mentioned only in connection with the very first Passover observance. These verses below specifically relate to annual observance of the festival:

And Moses said to the people: "Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place. No leavened items (chametz) shall be eaten. (Exodus 13:3)

Unleavened bread (matzah) shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened items (chametz) shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven (se'or) be seen among you in all your quarters. (Exodus 13:7) [It should be noted that the word "bread" is supplied in some translations, but this is not explicit in the text. The word chametz does not necessarily refer only to bread.]

Therefore, we see that there are three commandments regarding leaven:

  • Eat matzah
  • Remove leaven (se'or) and leavened foods (chametz)
  • Do not eat leavened foods (...

End of Guest excerpt:
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© 2009 First Fruits of Zion. All rights reserved. We encourage you to share this material with your friends for further personal study. However, This material may not be republished, in print, electronically, or any other form without our prior permission. Adapted from messiah magazine #90 .

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